asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue a circular drawing the attention of chief officers of police to the need to ensure that breathalyser tests are given with the minimum publicity.

The police are aware of the need to avoid attracting unnecessary attention to these and other inquiries, and I do not think a circular is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for reports from chief constables concerning the use of breathalysers over the Christmas period.

Chief constables provide statistics of roadside breath tests and will continue to do so over the Christmas period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that in Elgin Avenue, W.9, recently, three drivers were pulled into the side and ordered to take the breathalyser test without the police officers concerned having any reason to believe that an offence under the Road Safety Act had been committed; and if he will give instructions for such random tests to be stopped forthwith in the Metropolis.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that there is no record of a breath test having been required by the police in Elgin Avenue. If the hon. Member will tell me who the complainants are, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been stopped and given a breathalyser test under the new Road Safety Act; how many have refused a roadside test; in how many cases a second breath test in the police station proved negative; how many people were given a blood or urine test which proved negative; and how many have been prose cuted, for which the latest figures are available.

From 9th to 31st October inclusive, the figures for England and Wales were respectively 2,625, plus 96 in hospitals; 101 at the roadside and 6 in hospitals; 158; and 168. Statistics of prosecutions are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of those stopped and given a breath test under the new Road Safety Act under the following categories, namely, on suspicion of having committed, a traffic offence whilst the vehicle was in motion, on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol and on being involved in a traffic acident, respectively.

The figures for England and Wales, for the period 9th-31st October inclusive, were respectively 1,049, 864 and 808. In addition there were three cases in which it was considered medically inadvisable for a driver involved in an accident to take the test.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost and how many man hours are involved as a result of the present disposition of police in Parliament Square.

When Parliament is sitting, ten constables are employed for a total of 65.½ man hours a day, at a daily cost of £77 4s. 8d.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the removal of numbers and individual identification marks from police uniforms is in accordance with his policy; and if he will issue a circular to police authorities on the desirability of retaining personal identification marks.

I have consulted the Police Advisory Board on a proposal that the display of numbers on police uniforms should be discontinued generally, and have since reflected on the opinions expressed. Those who have proposed this change have been motivated by a desire to improve the status of police officers. But it seems to me that it is in the interests both of the public, and of the police themselves, that the police should continue to wear numbers on their uniforms, and I intend to advise police authorities and chief officers of police in this sense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the current annual rate of emigration from Great Britain to Australia of 90,000, to Canada of 63,000 and to New Zealand of 16,000 whether he will, as a measure of reciprocity, review facilities for Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders coming to Great Britain whether they are visiting or seeking work.

No. The control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, applies to citizens of all Commonwealth countries. Our control places no obstacles in the way of the many visitors from Canada, Australia and New Zealand whom we are glad to welcome here every year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were taken in the Metropolitan Police area under Section 32 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1963, in the years 1964, 1965 and 1966.

28, 43 and 35 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the present legislation and penalties are adequate to deal with hooligans who cause damage when travelling as passengers on trains and other forms of public transport; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on 1st December.—[Vol. 755, c.190–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action was taken by the Metropolitan Police to arrest those responsible for violence and damage to a train from Manchester which arrived at Euston Station during the weekend 25th-26th November.

It is for the British Transport police to deal with these deplorable incidents, though the local police are always willing to help on request. The Metropolitan police were not asked to help on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider the police force amalgamations on Tyneside so as to make it conform to the area of the conurbation.

No. As there is no power under existing law to amalgamate parts of police areas it is not possible to establish a force for an area which would include parts of the administrative counties of Durham and Northumberland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the chief constable on the results of the new policing methods employed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Chief Constable that, since a system known as area policing was introduced into parts of the city earlier this year, the number of crimes reported has fallen by 10·8 per cent. and the detection rate has risen from 38·9 per cent. to 45·3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to inform immigrants that the British police do not discriminate against them; and what is being done to combat unfair criticism of police behaviour against immigrants.

Advice has been issued to all chief officers of police on means of establishing a good relationship between the police and immigrant communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been given to chief officers of police on their relations with the Campaign against Racial Discrimination.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his instructions to the Metropolitan Police for the carrying of breathalysers; and how many have been distributed among the Metropolitan Police.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that 44,000 breath-testing devices have been distributed within the force. Apart from those kept at police stations, they are carried by traffic patrols when on patrol duties, and on most vehicles used by officers in uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for modernising the administration of the Metropolitan Police.

On 8th August, 1966, my predecessor informed the House of his decision that a firm of management consultants should examine the distribution of functions and responsibilities within the Metropolitan Police. I have now accepted some important interim proposals which have been made by the consultants.These proposals affect the financial and business management of the force, which is the responsibility of the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District, and the organisation of the civilian staff of the Metropolitan Police. The consultants recommend that the Receiver's administration, which has hitherto been quite separate from that of the Commis sioner, should be merged with it, and that the Receiver should be responsible to the Commissioner both for the proper co-ordination of the work of finance, supply and property management and for the efficiency of the Metropolitan Police Civil Staff as a whole.As police authority, I welcome these proposals, which will secure more effective budgetary control and greater speed of decision. The new arrangements will come into operation on 1st April, 1968.The Receiver will act as chief administrative officer of the force and will be more closely associated with the formation of policy. These arrangements can be made without changing his statutory functions; and he will continue to be the accounting officer of the Metropolitan Police Fund answerable to this House for the discharge of the duties defined in the Metropolitan Police Act, 1829, and subsequent Acts, and to issue precepts on the rating authorities in London, subject to my approval, in conformity with the requirements of the Local Government Act, 1948. He will, however, exercise these functions from within a unified police organisation.There will be no change in the Receiver's responsibilities in connection with the Inner London Magistrates' courts and the probation service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to co-ordinate the activities of the several voluntary societies concerned with the prevention of accidents from drowning.

My right hon. Friend has no statutory powers in this connection, but my Department keeps closely in touch with the work of the National Water Safety Committee which is sponsored by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Most of the societies concerned are represented on this Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the number of Commonwealth immigrants entering this country from East Africa.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies resident in East Africa who hold passports issued by the Government of the United Kingdom. Up to the end of November 11,630 had arrived this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to lay before Parliament the Orders required to implement the recommendations of the parliamentary Boundary Commission.

Section 2(5) of the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act, 1949 provides for draft Orders in Council to be laid before Parliament at the same time as the reports of the Boundary Commissions. The Commissions are obliged to submit their reports by the autumn of 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce legislation according to the undertaking given in the House by the Minister of State at the Foreign Office on 15th November, 1965, so that Her Majesty's Government can accede to the United Nations Genocide Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the delay which has already occurred and in the light of the programme arranged for Human Rights Year, he will now take early steps, by legislation or otherwise, to enable Her Majesty's Government to accede to the United Nations Genocide Convention.

I regret that Parliamentary time will not be available in the current Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of police patrol cars in England and Wales; how many different makes are in use; whether he will recom mend a standard type of car; and what estimate he has made of the savings to be achieved by this.

I am taking steps to obtain the information requested in the first two parts of the Question and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available. I accept the view of the Working Party on Police Equipment that complete standardisation is not practicable but studies are being promoted by my Department which may lead to some standardisation for particular purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were employed on the production of jute bags; how many bags were produced; and what was the value of the sales of these bags for each of the last four six-monthly periods to the nearest convenient date.

It would be a breach of contractual confidence to give figures of sales.Following is the information for prisons in England and Wales in answer to the first two parts of the Question:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners eligible for release early next year under the provisions for parole in the Criminal Justice Act, 1967.

Nearly 5,000 will be eligible for parole, but I cannot yet say how many will be suitable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to implement the proposals of the Council of Europe on the employment ofau pairgirls in Great Britain.

The Council of Europe has not yet completed their consideration of this matter. In the meantime, as my right hon. Friend's predecessor informed the House on 27th July, we have decided to raise to 17 the minimum age forau pairgirls. This will apply to girls seeking to enter after 1st January, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the name of Mr. Bert Bensen has been removed from the black books supplied to immigration officers.

As Mr. Bensen was informed recently, his admission to the United Kingdom is no longer the subject of special instructions to the ports, and it is open to him to come here on the same basis as any other foreign national.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the admission of Mr. Bert Bensen to the United Kingdom for visits is still subject to special control or still presents special features.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to an earlier Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual grant paid out of public funds to the National Marriage Guidance Council; and when he proposes to increase the sum.

An annual exchequer contribution of £42,000 was fixed for the three-year period which began in April, 1966. A review will be made next year to settle the grant for the next three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a 20-year-old Australian, Mr. John Lockhart Brownlie, who had committed a breach of the immigration regulations, was held in custody for 10 days without the Australian High Commissioner being notified; and what steps are now being taken to ensure that in all such cases in the future the police and immigration officers concerned automatically and without delay inform the representatives of the relevant Commonwealth Governments.

Discussions with other Commonwealth Governments have been taking place about reciprocal arrangements covering such circumstances; but I understand that Mr. Brownlie, although given facilities to communicate with the Australian High Commission, preferred not seek their assistance. The High Commission were notified in the normal way after he had been recommended for deportation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons involved in the recent unofficial London dock strike, or members of their families, are receiving police protection either at home or at work.

This is an operational responsibility of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; and it would not be in the public interest for me to say what arrangements, if any, he has made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the increasing delay caused to foreigners by the immigration procedures at Heathrow Airport; and what steps he intends to take to improve the position.

I have no evidence that the immigration procedures are causing increasing delay to foreign passengers at Heathrow. But if the hon. Member will let me have particulars I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prohibit the use of non-returnable glass containers for distribution of liquids to the general public and to ensure their replacement by containers made from unbreakable materials.

I share my hon. Friend's concern about the careless disposal of glass containers, but it is not yet practicable for all soft drinks to be sold in unbreakable containers although the trade are actively exploring this possibility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of public dissatisfaction with the working of the Shops Act; and what action he proposes to take to reform the law in this respect.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 8th November. —[Vol. 753, c.130.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many regional fraud squads are to be formed and where they will be based;(2) if he will make a statement on the formation of fraud squads to be attached to the regional crime squads.

I will consider this matter when I have completed my current review of the experience gained with regional crime squads.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to restrict the consumption of the drug methedrine.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Shettleston (Sir M. Galpern) on 11th December.—[Vol. 756, c.7–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what revised estimate has been made of the number of probation officers required by the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1967; and what steps he is taking to bring the strength of that service to the required level.

The target figure of 3,500 established officers by 1970 would be sufficient. The present strength is just over 2,700, and about 360 students are expected to complete training and become available for appointment as probation officers by the end of 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to increase the Borstal training places that are available, in order to eliminate the waiting period for such training.

A new borstal for 300 boys will be opened next year at Onley in Northamptonshire and I am consulting local authorities about possible sites or premises for at least three other borstals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the Report of the Graham-Hall Committee on the financial limits of matrimonial orders.

Within a few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of his correspondence with local authorities, other employers of labour and trade unions urging them to honour the right of Commonwealth citizens of Sikh religion to wear turbans as required by their faith and long permitted in Crown service overseas, whether he will make a statement on the success his policy has achieved.

I welcome this opportunity of emphasising the Government's hope that all concerned will show good sense and understanding in applying dress regulations to Sikhs whose faith requires them not to cut their beards and to wear turbans. There are already encouraging indications that this is appreciated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the breathalyser used by the police consists of a glass phial which has to be broken before use, to what extent a person blowing into it is in danger of inhaling glass particles if if such person has to blow more than once in order that the requisite amount of breath should pass through it.

I am advised that there is no danger of inhaling glass particles when the Alcotest is used in accordance with the instructions.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps he is taking to ensure that moneys intended for Anguillan development reach that island.

The constitutional position is that our aid can only be made available to the Government of the Associated State of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, which is accountable for it. When it is possible to proceed again with approved development schemes in Anguilla, the normal procedures for the control of Colonial Development and Welfare expenditure will apply.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action he proposes to take on the resolution sent to him from the Welsh National Congress on Overseas Aid and British responsibility.

The resolution merits a considered reply and I have sent a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the mini-work programme authorised for the North-East Development Area.

The work is going ahead as fast as possible and the whole of the £7 million for the Northern Region has now been committed.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a further statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the Northern Economic Planning Council's Regional Study.

As I informed hon. Members on 16th November, certain of the recommendations addressed to Government are already being implemented. Others will be implemented when national resources permit. Meanwhile, we have recently taken comprehensive measures which will greatly strengthen the long-term economy of the region.—[Vol. 754 c. 621.]

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether, in order to ensure its independence of Government, he will introduce legislation to give to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the power itself to select the matters into which it will inquire.

No. The independence of the Board has been clearly established by Parliament under the Prices and Incomes Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will invite the Confederation of British Industry to vet price increases in the same way as the Trades Union Congress vets wage increases.

No. The Government consider it best to continue the present arrangements for prior notification of proposed increases in prices to the appropriate Government Departments for examination by them and where necessary by the National Board for Prices and Incomes. These arrangements apply to those firms covered by the early warning list whether or not they are members of the C.B.I.

Wainwright asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will ensure that the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council, before concluding its special study of the future of the Colne Valley, receives the results of the National Economic Development Council investigation of the wool textile industry.

It is for the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council to decide how it will pursue its studies of the problems of its region. However, I am satisfied that any conclusions resulting from the Council's study of the Colne Valley will take due account of the investigations of the wool textile industry to which the hon. Member refers. The Chairman of the Economic Planning Council is also a member of the E.D.C. for the wool textile industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will consider introducing legislation making it compulsory, save in exceptional circumstances, for any wage or salary increase which exceeds a prescribed norm to be paid by the employer into a fund managed by Her Majesty's Government to be retained therein until 1st June. 1969, and then to be paid out with 5 per cent. interest to the wage or salary earner concerned.

In the period ahead, no one can be entitled to a minimum increase in incomes, but I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General why, in view of improved road and rail services, and general technological advance there is a reduction in the collection and delivery of mail and a letter takes three times as long to reach a given point and costs four times as much compared with pre-war.

As regards service reductions and increased charges I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on 27th July. Most fully paid letters are delivered by the day after posting; but if he knows of inordinate delays arid will let me have details I shall be glad to look into them.—[Vol. 751. c.225–6.]

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of letters posted in Ballymena before 6 p.m. and addressed to the central area of Belfast are delivered by first post in Belfast next morning.

Fully paid letters addressed to the central area of Belfast and posted in time for the 5.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. collection are due to be delivered by the first delivery next weekday. This standard of service is almost always being given.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to improve the postal delivery service between Forfar and the South-West of England, in view of the fact that express delivery parcels are taking up to seven days in transit.

I am sorry about the excessive delay to the parcel sent by the hon. Gentleman's constituent on 27th November and I shall be writing to him about this. In the New Year I will have special checks made of the parcel post service from Forfar to the South-West of England to see what more can he done to reduce delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with organisations at home, and abroad, with a view to setting up an international research station at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean; and if he will make a statement.

None. The Royal Society in consultation with other interested bodies at home and overseas, including the Natural Environment Research Council, are actively considering the research facilities necessary to support a programme of work on Aldabra and how they might best be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students receive grants; how many are from the Commonwealth and foreign countries, respectively; what is the total cost annually; and if he will reduce this cost to public funds by substituting loans for grants.

The number of students in Great Britain who received awards from public funds in 1965–66 was about 310,000, of whom 1,865 Commonwealth students and 750 non-Commonwealth students were supported under schemes for overseas students. The cost of all these awards was nearly £104 million.My right hon. Friend has no proposals to substitute loans for grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science. in respect of how many public library projects loan sanction has been given in England, North Wales and South Wales, respectively, since 20th July, 1966.

The number of loan sanctions issued for public library projects between 10th July, 1966, and 17th November, 1967, was: England 333; Wales 22. Of the latter, twelve were in North Wales and ten in South Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the local projects on curriculum development now in operation under the auspices of the Schools Council; and indicate how many of these are directly related to problems arising from the raising of the school-leaving age.

The Schools Council is directly concerned with the following curriculum research and development projects which are listed briefly and without indication of scale. All involve active participation by local groups of teachers in various parts of England and Wales.In addition, there are many local projects under the auspices of Local Education Authorities which may be partly inspired by the work of the Council. Reports of some of these which are partly concerned with the raising of the school-leaving age will be included in a series of Council publications in 1968 and 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the annual cost to the Exchequer of each student who graduates from teacher training college.

The annual cost to public funds of a student who completes his course at a college of education estimated at about £785; this figure excludes capital expenditure. The estimated annual cost to the Exchequer including direct contributions and Rate Support Grant is about £510.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the total number of students entering teacher training colleges in England and Wales during the last three academic years, the number of students who completed their course and the number who did not continue in training after their first year at college.

Non-graduate entrants to courses of initial teacher training numbered 29,058 in the calendar year 1965 and 33,378 in 1966; the provisional figure for 1967 (including entrants to the five new departments of education in technical colleges) is 36,500. The great majority of these students are following three-year courses and have therefore not yet completed their training, hut of the students who entered college in 1961, 1962 and 1963 about 90 per cent. completed their courses successfully. About 4 per cent. of entrants do not continue in training beyond the first year of the course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places were available in advanced courses in technical colleges at the beginning of the academic year 1967–68; and how many of these places have been filled.

Figures for the academic year 1967–68 will be available next spring. For 1966–67 the technical colleges admitted to advanced courses some 27,000 full-time and sandwich students, 36,000 part-time day and 28,000 "evenings only" students. It is not possible to say how many places were not filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current expenditure per student in universities, exclusive of student awards, in the quinquennium 1967–68 to 1971–72, and the corresponding figure for the previous quinquennium.

It is estimated that in the academic year 1971–72 total recurrent expenditure by universities (other than expenditure on research contracts and other self-balancing items and local authority rates) will be about £206 million, with student numbers between 220,000 and 225,000. On this basis the average expenditure per full time student will he about £925. The comparable figure for the academic year 1966–67 is £835. An average figure for the 1962–67 quinquennium would be misleading because of price and salary changes during the period.

asked the Secretary of State for Education 'and Science (1) what was the total number of places provided for scientific studies in universities and equivalent institutions for the academic year 1966–67; what was the number of places unfilled; what have been the provisions and places unfilled for 1967–68; and what provision he is making for 1968–69;(2) what number of places were provided in technological institutions for 1967–68; how many of them remain unfilled; and what provision is being made for 1968–69.

The Fourth Annual Report of the Universities Central Council on Admissions gives a total of 13,535 admissions by universities in Great Britain to first degree and first diploma courses in pure science starting in October, 1966; and estimates that, if more suitably qualified candidates had come forward it would have been possible to find places for about another 1,100. Similar information for courses in science, engineering and technology starting in October, 1967 is not yet available but will be published in the next U.C.C.A. report which is due in February, 1968. The number of places which will be available in October, 1968 is a matter for individual universities.The 1967–68 student admission figures for technical colleges will not be available until the spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there have been joint meetings or joint consultations between the Arts Council in England and the Welsh Arts Council and the Scottish Arts Council on the setting up of national theatres in each of the three countries concerned.

Three members of the Scottish Arts Council and two members of the Welsh Arts Council are members of the Arts Council of Great Britain which has supported the National Theatre Company since it was set up in 1963. In accordance with the Council's Charter, the function of deciding on the support to be given to national or other drama companies in Scotland and Wales is exercised by the Scottish and Welsh Art Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education arid Science how much money has been given by the Government towards the National Theatre in London; and whether it is proposed to advance further sums in the foreseeable future.

Grants made by the Arts Council to the National Theatre Company in the four years of its existence up to and including 1966–67 amounted to £766,000. The grant for the current financial years is £240,000. to which should be added £80,000 towards the progressive liquidation of accumulated overdraft and a further provision of £20,000, which may not be called upon in full, in respect of guarantee of touring costs. The size of future grants is for the Council to determine.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many extra children he anticipates will be brought into the free school meals scheme as the result of the issue of his personal message to parents; what additional cost to the Exchequer this will involve; and whether he is satisfied that under present conditions the teaching staff is adequate to deal with this extra work.

I am not yet able to estimate how many additional children will receive free school meals as a result of my recent message to parents, nor how much this will cost. I do not think that significant extra work will be involved for teaching staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, how much money has been given to the Welsh Arts Council in the course of the past four years for the promotion of drama in Wales; and how this money has been spent.

The Arts Council of Great Britain decide the size of the total grant to the Welsh Arts Council, which decides how the grant should be spent. £36,000 has been spent between 1963–64 and 1966–67 on the support of drama in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice the Welsh Arts Council have sought from the drama panel of the Arts Council in England as to the projected National Theatre for Wales; and what advice has been given.

I understand from the Arts Council that no such advice has been sought or given. This is essentially a matter for the Welsh Arts Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the functions of the drama panel of the Arts Council in England; how the panel is appointed; and whether each member of the panel has professional experience either as a theatre administrator, drama producer, playwright, actor or critic.

The functions of the panel a -e to advise the Arts Council on drama policy and any related questions. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman are members of the Arts Council; the other members are appointed by the Arts Council. 24 of the 28 members of the panel have professional experience.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the nature and extent of research work being carried out by the Pirbright Institute in the areas infected by the current foot-and-mouth epidemic.

I have been asked to reply.Two members of the staff of the Animal Virus Research Institute, Pirbright, are working in infected areas investigating the epidemiology of the disease, including the manner of its Tread. In addition the Institute is receiving, for laboratory examination, material taken from animals in the infected areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total public investment in each of the nationalised industries, the Post Office and the British Broadcasting Corporation, in Scotland in each of the last five years.

This information is published in Table 62 of the Digest of Scottish Statistics (No. 30—October, 1967).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average daily sum of foreign indebtedness incurred by Her Majesty's Government between 26th July, 1945 and 25th October, 1951, and between 16th October, 1964 and 30th November, 1967 and still outstanding.

Information on Government borrowings and repayments from 1946 is available in published statistics of the balance of payments.The dates of new foreign loans incurred by Her Majesty's Government and the value of foreign loans outstanding at 31st October, 1967 were given in an Answer by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to a Question by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 23rd November. The effects of devaluation on the amounts of loans and credit liabilities outstanding were given by my predecessor in an Answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill) on 27th November; there were no loan repayments during November.—[Vol. 754, c.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the Government's policy to continue the practice of not asking the Director of Public Prosecutions, whose consent is necessary, to proceed against those who make voluntary disclosures of gold coins under Statutory Instrument, 1966, No. 438.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the figure of £270,000 which at 23rd June, 1967, represented the sales of gold coins under Statutory Instrument, 1966, No. 438, to the five members of the London gold market.

The corresponding figure on 31st October, 1967 was £285,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some persons are not claiming repayment of Post-War Credits because they are under the mistaken impression that these credits continue to attract interest after the statutory redemption date; and what steps he will take to give additional publicity to the rules concerning payment of interest.

The explanatory leaflet about repayment of Post-War Credits states that interest accrues only up to the time when the Credit becomes repayable. I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving me the opportunity of reaffirming the position publicly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many clubs paid duty for a licence for all games under Section 13 of the Finance Act, 1966, of £55, of £5,000 and of £50,000, in the Metropolitan Police area and in the country as a whole, respectively.

The following table gives particulars of the "all games" licences in force at end of August, 1967:

asked the Minister of Social Security how many of the poorer section of the nation are to be protected from the increased cost of living due to devaluation, by what means, and at what annual cost; below what income she designates the poorer section; and how soon the necessary measures will be brought into operation.

asked the Minister of Social Security what steps she intends to take to mitigate the effects of the devaluation of the pound sterling upon all fixed income groups and upon lower-paid persons.

I would refer the hon. Members to the replies I gave to the hon. Members for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes), Hertford (Lord Balniel) and for Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale) on Monday, 4th December. I have nothing to add at present.—[Vol. 755, c. 931–3.]

asked the Minister of Social Security what is the total value of contributions to the old age pension made by a person now aged 65 years; and what is the value of the capital sum he would receive given the average expectation of life.

The total value of the contributions for retirement pension paid by a man now aged 65 depends on his individual circumstances and on the basis adopted for calculation, including whether account is taken of contributions before 1948, but could be up to £415, with a similar amount paid by his employer. The capital value of the pension of a single man who has just retired at 65 would be about £2,400.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in favour of a referendum on the lines of that held in Gibraltar to ascertain the wishes of the people of British Honduras on their future allegiance.

I have received representations on this subject from members of the Opposition in British Honduras and from other organisations and individuals connected with the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether the six principles remain the criteria on which Her Majesty's Government grants independence to dependent territories.

I have nothing to add to the Answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Sir C. Taylor) on 15th December, 1966. [Vol. 738, c.151.]

asked the Minister of Transport when the Reigate Borough Council is likely to have a reply to its request for the establishment of a pedestrian crossing in Pendleton Road, Redhill, near the Redhill General Hospital.

Various suggestions have been made for a crossing at this site. This year the Divisional Road Engineer has considered a request from the Reigate General Hospital, forwarded by the Borough Engineer but the traffic and pedestrian flows are not heavy enough to justify a crossing. The hospital have been told this. I am not aware of any outstanding application from the council.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to establish what effect the Road Safety Act, 1967 has had on accidents, she will investigate the part played by consumption of alcohol on the part of the drivers involved in accidents and what other factors were involved, such as road or weather conditions, vehicle faults and the extent to which any bad driving arose from a driver's alcohol consumption or his normal incompetence.

Such investigations are already in hand as part of the continuing study of the causes of road accidents. In particular cases it may be impossible to determine whether a driver's error was due to alcohol or some other factor, but studies of the working of the Road Safety Act should add to our knowledge of the general connection between alcohol and road accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set out the proportion of expenditure on each class of road that is borne by the local authority and the central Government, respectively.

The central Government bears 100 per cent. of all expenditure on trunk roads (including most motorways) and pays specific capital grant at the rate of 75 per cent. towards the cost of constructing and improving principal roads, for which local highway authorities are responsible. Local authorities also receive Exchequer assistance through the rate support grant which, together with certain specific revenue grants, at present amounts to some 54 per cent. of all approved rate-borne expenditure (in eluding roads) over the country as a whole; but none of the rate support grant is centrally allocated to roads or any other specific service.

asked the Minister of Transport why the necessary personnel and equipment were not available to deal with the hazardous road conditions caused by snow and ice on 8th and 9th December on principal roads.

Clearance of snow and ice on principal roads is the responsibility of local highway authorities. Reports from local authorities affected by the recent snowfall indicate that appropriate steps were generally taken and that there was no shortage of personnel or equipment; it appears that the difficulties experienced were due in some cases to the exceptional depth of snow, and particularly to its falling while there was much traffic on the roads, which impeded the effective use of snow-clearing equipment.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will authorise a start on urgent improvements on the A39 between Bideford and Bucks Mill, particularly at Bucks Cross, in view of the many dangerous sections of this road.

Three schemes for improving this section of the A39 are provisionally programmed for the next two or three years. These include an improvement at Bucks Cross which it is hoped to start in the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport what action she proposes to take, in view of the difficulties of lorry owners in obtaining the necessary conversion kits that are required to enable their vehicles to reach the standard required by the forthcoming regulations.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the brake conversion kits some lorries will need if their braking efficiencies are to comply with the standards which come into force on 1st January next. The regulations laying down the standards were made over a year ago and there should not be substantial supply difficulties. I will take up with the manuafacturers specific difficulties brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate she has made of the increased cost to the road building programme of the proposed tax on lorries of three tons or more, which carry road building materials and equipment.

I do not expect the new road haulage charge to have any significant effect on the costs of the road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will publish the recommendations and the reports of the Joint Group on Operational Co-ordination commissioned by her Department and dated 31st January, 29th April, and 18th July, 1966, concerning co-operation between municipal and company bus undertakings.

No. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Geoffrey Wilson) on 8th March, she does not consider that the expense of publishing these very detailed reports would be justified.—[Vol. 742, c.280.]

asked the Minister of Transport on how many occasions since 1930, when the railways have submitted that refusal of an application for new bus route or reduction of a service or increase in a road fare would be in the public interest, appeals have been made to the Minister.

Since 1st January, 1948. the Railways have made 173 appeals to the Minister against the grant of road service licences or against conditions attached to licences by the Traffic Commissioners. Earlier records are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport what further reports her Department has commissioned on the Joint Group on Operational Co-ordination be tween municipal and company bus undertakings since 18th July, 1966; and whether she will publish these.

None. But as my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Geoffrey Wilson) on 8th March, the 1966 reports are being followed up by the regional passenger transport co-ordinating committees set up earlier this year to bring about immediate short-term improvements in the coordination of public transport services. [Vol. 742, c.280.]

asked the Minister of Transport by what authority she has instructed the Railways Board, when disposing of land, to offer it first to local authorities.

My right hon. Friend has given no such instruction. Joint Circular No. 43 and 57/66 issued by the Welsh Office and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to all local authorities on 17th October, 1966, however, embodies an arrangement agreed by the nationalised fuel, power and transport industries to give the first offer of their surplus land to local authorities. The object is to ensure that the land is put to the most advantageous use in the public interest as a whole.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the virus of foot-and-mouth disease are destroyed by fire; and in what circumstances the virus could be carried by smoke.

Burial is the method used, wherever possible, for the disposal of carcases of animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease. In some cases, because of the nature of the terrain, burial cannot be undertaken and burning is the only alternative. Where burning is carried out, the carcases are sprayed with soda solution which destroys the superficial virus and then with diesel oil or paraffin before the fire is lit. The resulting rapid scorching of the external surfaces reduces to the minimum any remaining virus.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by international organisations such as the European Commission for control of foot-and-mouth disease and the Office Internationale des Epizootiés in reducing the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe and elsewhere; and what co-operation has been received from the governments of countries where the disease is endemic.

Both these bodies provide the opportunity for international veterinary information, discussion and advice upon animal disease control. It is not possible to assess the results in detail, but it is considered that their work has contributed materially to improved control, especially in Europe.The interested governments co-operate closely with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Centre, and the United States Laboratory at Plum Island.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider turning the large stocks of foreign feedingstuffs held by dairy farmers, whose herds have been destroyed, into poultry and horse feed so as to avoid a total loss of these stocks.

No such total loss should occur since most ingredients of feed should keep for a considerable period if properly stored. Moreover, while feedingstuffs on infected premises which are subject to restrictions may not be moved off while the restrictions remain in force, except under special licence, farmers may thereafter normally dispose as they wish of any feedingstuffs which they do not anticipate being able to use themselves.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the present burden on the veterinary service arising from the foot-and-mouth epidemic, he will require that veterinary officers should be relieved of direct responsibility for supervising the slaughter of contact stock on infected farms.

Veterinary supervision over an infected place is essential on disease grounds and veterinary supervision of the slaughter of animals on an infected place is highly desirable on humanitarian grounds. The detailed work following on the diagnosis of the disease has, subject to the general supervision of a veterinary officer, been frequently allotted in the present epidemic to lay members of my staff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he is aware of the hardship caused to the hotel and tourist industries in areas such as the Lake District, where visitors have been discouraged from visiting the area due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic; and whether he will consider providing special assistance for them.

I do not doubt that hardship is being caused to hotel and tourist industries and to others in a number of areas as a result of the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease and measures taken to combat it. I have every sympathy with those affected, but I regret that it would not be practicable for me to provide special assistance for them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to authorise a support buying programme by the Potato Marketing Board, in view of the low financial returns in Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart).—[Vol. 755, c.164.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the financial position of the housing revenue accounts as at 31st March, 1967 of the local authorities whose proposed increases in council house rents are to be sent to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Comprehensive in formation for 1966–67 is not available in all cases.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will seek to apply the regulations concerning the size of bedrooms, contained in the Parker Morris Standard, to privately built houses, in addition to local authority houses.

The Parker Morris space recommendations relate to the whole house or flat, not to individual rooms. They are based on the number of occupants, and so cannot be applied in the private sector where the number of occupants is not known at the time when the house is being built.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given local authorities on dealing with the problem of homelessness.

Together with my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and the Minister of Health, I sent a circular to local authorities on 26th September. The advice it gave stressed the importance of three things in particular:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is yet able to announce plans for surveyor's assistance to tenants who appear before rent assessment committees.

I am very glad to say that the Chartered Land Societies Committee have now announced details of a pilot scheme of surveyors' aid in connection with the work of rent assessment committees in London. The scheme will come into operation on 1st January, 1968. All tenants and landlords who might benefit under the scheme will be sent an explanatory leaflet at the same time as they receive the notification of the rent officer's decision. I am very grateful to the Committee and to all concerned with the preparation of this scheme, and I shall watch it in operation with great interest.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans have been submitted to him by the New Towns Commission for the development of new shopping facilities in Old Hatfield; and when he expects to give approval to these plans.

The Commission for New Towns has applied for planning permission for comprehensive development—residential, shopping, civic offices, church, public house and petrol filling station together with parking facilities—and the diversion of the Great North Road, with subways, on about 12½ acres of land lying between the main line railway and Park Street/Church Street, Old Hatfield. The application was referred to the Minister under Section 22 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962.Compulsory purchase orders have also been submitted in respect of land required for residential development and for the diversion of the road.A joint local inquiry was held into these matters on 19th and 20th September, 1967.The Inspectors' reports are now being considered, and a decision will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when legislation will be introduced to remove the doubt which has risen about Section 27 of the Water Resources Act 1963 with regard to the proposal for a reservoir in the Bewl Valley and what form it will take.

Legislation to amend Section 27 will be introduced as soon as practicable. The intention is to remove any doubt which may exist about the powers of water undertakings, and certain other bodies, to apply for licences under Part IV of the Act in circumstances where they have initiated proceedings for compulsory purchase of the necessary interest in land.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider the method of presenting the monthly trade returns with a view to giving a fuller and more comprehensible picture; and if he will make a statement.

The preliminary trade figures issued each month are of necessity in summary form, as they are compiled immediately after the receipt of the basic information from Customs and Excise. The commentary published with them is intended to set the figures in perspective and to indicate the main trends. Detailed information is published in the Monthly Overseas Trade Accounts, and quarterly articles in the Board of Trade Journal examine in more detail the developments and trends shown by the statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) on what grounds he refused an export licence to Mr. Herbert Edwards of Brandon, Suffolk, the only master flint knapper in Great Britain, who has orders for gun flints for South African flintlock muzzle loaders;(2) if he will rescind his ban on the sale to South Africa of flints for muzzle-loading flintlock guns.

Mr. Edwards was told that a licence, if applied for would be refused, and the general ban is enforced, in conformity with the Government's announced policy on the export of arms to South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the 20 per cent. increases in retail timber prices which are being made on the grounds that devaluation makes such increases necessary to pay for stock replacements.

No. Timber is being continuously imported and it is not customary for stocks to be held for long periods. It is, therefore, normal practice in the timber trade for stocks to be sold at replacement prices which may be higher or lower. My information is that in general timber prices have not increased as much as my hon. Friend suggests.